Jackson Free Press

Coffee is one of the world's most valuable traded commodities, with an estimated 11 million hectares of the world's farmland dedicated to its cultivation. Every day, Americans drink more than 300 million cups, but how much do we really know about the journey of our Joe before it lands in our mug?

1. All coffee is grown in an equatorial band between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn. Put the world's five biggest coffee producers in order: Brazil, Mexico, Indonesia, Vietnam, Colombia.

2. How much coffee does a coffee tree produce each growing season?
a. 0-1 pounds
b. 1-2 pounds
c. 18-20 pounds
d. 20-22 pounds

3. Arabica and robusta are the two main species of coffee bean grown for commercial sale. What are the differences between these species?
a. Arabica is generally sold ground, while robusta is generally sold green.
b. Arabica grows in Asia, while robusta comes from the Americas.
c. Arabica has a wider taste range between varieties.
d. Robusta contains less caffeine.

4. What is the difference between organic and fair-trade coffee certifications?
a. Fair-trade certification has to do with the price farmers receive, while organic certification has to do with the farming techniques farmers employ.
b. Fair-trade certification comes from independent third-party companies, while organic certification comes from the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements.
c. Fair-trade coffee monitoring and certification costs are paid by the consumers, while organic certification cost is paid for by the farmers.
d. A and C but not B.
e. All of the above.

5. Which of the following is NOT an environmentally friendly coffee-farming technique?
a. Shade-grown
b. Bird-friendly
c. Bird-free

Bonus: Is there any organic coffee grown in the United States?

Answers

1. Brazil, Colombia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Mexico 2. b. A mature coffee tree will produce one to two pounds of coffee per growing season. 3. c. Arabica has a wider range in taste. 4. d. 5. c. Shade-grown and bird-friendly coffee beans are grown under a natural canopy that provides habitat for birds who eat the insects that prey on the coffee crops, thereby acting as natural pesticides. Bonus: Yes, on the Hawaiian Islands.